News

The Office of the Security Cooperation, Department of Defence of the United States of America (USA) has handed over a Skills House to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) on Wednesday 19 February 2025 at the Army Special Operations Training School (ASOTS) in Daboya, Tamale.

The Skills House which is the first of its kind for GAF was established to facilitate and enhance training of personnel of ASOTS and the Ghana Armed Forces as a whole.The General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Command, Brigadier General Frank Nartey Tei, who spoke on behalf of the Guest of Honour, the Chief of the Army Staff, Lieutenant General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, upon receiving the facility on behalf of the Government and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) expressed his gratitude to the US government and the US Ambassador to Ghana and her representatives for the generous donation. He emphasized that, this gesture would enhance the ability to deliver quality training to troops of the GAF. The GOC stated that, the completion of the Skills House signified the strategic and operational partnership translated into collaborative planning and provision of training infrastructure to support kinetic activities at the tactical level to counter Violent Extremism and Terrorism. He added that, the facility would not only improve the capacity and confidence of the Special Operations Force but would train conventional forces in house clearing, and facilitate cross border training to strengthen information sharing and cooperation with neighbouring States.Commander Collins, speaking on behalf of the US Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer, expressed his pride in the long-standing security cooperation between the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and GAF especially during Exercises FLINTLOCK and AFRICAN LION. He noted that the construction of the Skills House would enable GAF to counter violent extremist organizations and provide security for the people while respecting Human Right and building trust within civilian population.The Deputy Commander Army Special Operations Brigade, Colonel Antwi Awuah Darkwah expressed his sincere gratitude to the US government, the Ambassador and the entire team for their tireless efforts in making the facility a reality. He added that, the handing over of the facility underscores the strong bond and shared values of service, sacrifice, and compassion between the two countries. He mentioned that, the event, was not a mere ceremony but a celebration of collaboration, innovation and unwavering commitment to enhancing the capabilities of Special Operations and the Army at large.The Commanding Officer ASOTS, Lieutenant Colonel Ernest Darkwah expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the US Government and Ghana for its commitment to strengthening the bilateral ties and enhancing the capabilities of the Ghana Armed Forces. He also thanked the Military High Command for their support and encouragement in striving for excellence in their service to Ghana.Present at the Ceremony were, Base Commander Air Force Base Tamale, Air Commodore Joshua Mensah Larkai, Commander Army Training Command, Brig Gen Stephen Woseadzikpo Kweku Parbey, Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, Staff Officers from Northern Command, Officers, Soldiers and Defence Civilian Staff of ASOTS.